“BULLET BUTTON” / “ASSAULT WEAPON” Quick Reference Guide
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“BULLET BUTTON” / “ASSAULT WEAPON” quick Reference Guide PREREQUISITE FEATURES or telescoping stock, (D) A grenade launcher or the weapon without burning the bearer’s hand, QUICK TIPS OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON (AW) flare launcher, (E) A flash suppressor, or (F) A except a slide that encloses the barrel; (J) The FOR GUN OWNERS WITH The Penal Code now classifies the following as forward pistol grip. capacity to accept a detachable magazine at FIREARMS NOW an AW: PISTOLS: A semiautomatic pistol that does not some location outside of the pistol grip. have a fixed magazine but has anyone of the SHOTGUNS: While the change in the Penal CLASSIFIED AS RIFLES: A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that following: (G) A threaded barrel, capable of ac- Code affects certain rifles and pistols, the DOJ does not have a fixed magazine but has any “ASSAULT WEAPONS” cepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, has taken the position that semiautomatic shot- one of the following: (A) A pistol grip that pro- or silencer; (H) A second handgrip; (I) A shroud guns required to be equipped with “bullet but- On January 1, 2017, the definition trudes conspicuously beneath the action of the that is attached to, or partially or completely en- tons” are also affected. of an “assault weapon” (“AW”) under weapon, (B) A thumbhole stock, (C) A folding California law was changed to include circles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire firearms which were required to be equipped with a “bullet button” or similar KEY DEFINITIONS magazine locking device. This change does not affect ex- “FIXED MAGAZINE”- An ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot isting definitions of other types of AWs, be removed without disassembly of the firearm action. including: make/model AWs; semiau- “DISASSEMBLY OF THE FIREARM ACTION” - “The fire control assembly is detached from the action in such a way that the action has been tomatic, centerfire rifles with an overall interrupted and will not function. For example, disassembling the action on a two-part receiver, like that on an AR-15 style firearm, would require the length less than 30 inches; semiauto- rear take down pin to be removed, the upper receiver lifted upwards and away from the lower receiver using the front pivot pin as the fulcrum, before matic, centerfire rifles with fixed maga- the magazine may be removed.” zines capable of accepting more than 10 rounds; semiautomatic pistols with fixed magazines capable of accepting more WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE receiver of the firearm. Because removal of the magazine requires “disas- sembling the firearm’s action,” the magazine is considered “fixed.” than 10 rounds; shotguns with revolving IF I OWN A NEWLY DEFINED “ASSAULT WEAPON”? cylinders; and semiautomatic shotguns Some owners are choosing to affix their magazine to the firearm by with both a folding or telescoping stock welding or epoxying the magazine to the receiver and then loading the A firearm that was lawful to acquire and possess last year and a pistol grip that protrudes conspicu- 1. REGISTER: firearm through the chamber breech. Some are converting their rifles from but now is considered an AW can be registered on or before July 1, 2018. ously beneath the action of the weapon, centerfire to rimfire. While others are restricting their firearm’s ability to Once the registration system is active, you can register at: https://cfars. thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip. function as a semiautomatic. doj.ca.gov/login.do. Any AW may be “jointly” registered with another family A complete list of firearms which NOTE: 3. DISASSEMBLY: A firearm has to be assembled and functioning to be an member over the age of 18 (including a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or AW. Consequently, disassembling the firearm, or removing a crucial part of are prohibited by make/model can be sibling) who resides with you. But they must separately complete the AW registration. the firearm that will prevent it from functioning, or even taking the upper found in the California Code of Regu- 2. MODIFICATION: You can modify your firearm so that it is no longer an lations or in the “Assault Weapon Iden- AW. This can generally be accomplished in two ways: receiver off from the lower receiver, should take the firearm out from under the “AW” definition. But once disassembled, the firearm can never tification Guide” on DOJ’s website at: A. “Featureless Build:” If a rifle (while still semiautomatic, centerfire, and be reassembled in California into a configuration that meets the definition https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/ not having a fixed magazine) does not have any of the features listed in A-F of an “AW,” and you should never manifest the intent to reassemble the pdfs/firearms/forms/awguide.pdf. above; or if a pistol, (while still semiautomatic and lacking fixed magazine), firearm in an “AW” configuration in California (never discuss your firearm The following flowchart will help does not have any of the features listed in G-J, then it isn’t an AW under or how it might be reassembled with anyone). If a firearm is gun owners who own firearms not al- the recent change to California law. Removing or changing all of these CAUTION: lacking a non-essential part, like a magazine, or a part not required for the firearm to ready registered as an “assault weapon” features may prevent the firearm from meeting the definition of an AW. For to determine if the firearm is classified as function, or if the firearm is disabled by a gun lock but can otherwise still function example, one may replace the pistol grip with an aftermarket grip like the properly, it is NOT a “disassembled” firearm. The firearm would still be considered an such, either under the new law or exist- “Monsterman Grip;” pin or rivet their telescoping stock in place; or remove AW. ing law. Several definitions are also pro- the “flash suppressor” or replace it with a muzzle brake. 4. SALE/SURRENDER: AWs can be surrendered to law enforcement, or vided for key terms used in the flowchart, B. “California Compliant Build:” If you remove one of the three prereq- sold to properly licensed “assault weapon” dealers, or sold out of state to but some of these definitions are from uisite features for the new “assault weapon” definition (i.e., for rifles: semi- out of state dealers. now rejected regulations and are subject automatic, centerfire, or not having a fixed magazine) the firearm can then 5. REMOVAL FROM CALIFORNIA: Some firearm owners are taking their to change. still have all of the features listed in A-F (with the exception of the grenade firearms out of California. Firearm owners choosing this route should be If after reviewing this flowchart you launcher). Most firearm owners choose to install an aftermarket device on mindful of other state laws and federal transfer requirements, particular- believe you are in possession of an ille- their rifle that causes the firearm to have a “fixed magazine.” The parts ly if the firearms are in a location where others may access them. And gal “assault weapon,” contact a skilled replace the “bullet button” magazine lock. The devices prevent the maga- once removed from the state, it cannot be brought back into the state firearms attorney immediately. zine’s release unless/until the upper receive is pivoted up from the lower in an AW configuration. Copyright © 2017 California Rifle & Pistol Association and National Rifle Association Produced as another member benefit by the CRPA and NRA. To join, donate, or volunteer, visit www.StandandFightCalifornia.org and www.cpra.org, or email [email protected]. Permission to reprint is granted so long as this material is copied in its entirety. This is not legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney to account for your individual circumstances. RIFLES Start Here: No Not an PISTOLS Start Here: SHOTGUNS Start Here: No Does it have a Does it have a “assault Yes No “fixed” magazine? revolving cylinder? weapon.” Semiautomatic? Semiautomatic? Semiautomatic? Yes No Yes No Yes Yes No No Does it use Does it hold more Does it hold more centerfire No Yes Yes than 10 rounds? than 10 rounds? Does it have 1)A Folding or ammunition? BOTH: Illegal telescoping stock; and 2)A pistol grip, Yes “assault Yes Illegal thumbhole stock, or vertical handgrip? weapon.” “assault Yes weapon.” No Is the rifle’s overall Does it have a No length less than 30 “fixed” magazine? inches? No Does it have ANY of the following: Does it have Yes 1)Threaded barrel; 2)Second handgrip; 3) a detachable Yes Barrel shroud; or 4)The capacity to accept magazine? a detachable magazine at a location No Does it have ANY of the following: outside of the pistol grip? Illegal 1)Pistol grip; 2)Thumbhole stock; 3) Not an No Yes “assault Folding or telescoping stock; 4)Grenade “assault weapon.” or flare launcher; 5)Flash suppressor; or weapon.” 6)Forward pistol grip? Yes No Illegal Does it have a No “assault Does it have a “bullet button?” Yes weapon.” “fixed” magazine? No Does it have a Not an Yes “bullet button?” “assault No weapon.” Yes The firearm must be registered as an “assault weapon” no later than July 1, 2018. (Note: DOJ’s regulations require shotguns lacking “fixed” magazines to be registered, but this position does not reflect current California law.) For more detailed flowcharts & informative tools, visit crpa.org/resources/quickreferenceguide Copyright © 2017 California Rifle & Pistol Association and National Rifle Association Produced as another member benefit by the CRPA and NRA.